Beyond the Play (Out of Reach 3)

“Come on.” I laugh. “You don’t really believe that. We were practically fucking out there,” I say, trying to keep my voice smooth and the irritation I feel at bay. I’ve never had someone so blatantly push me away. Not even in high school.

“Dancing,” she says again.

“He’s right, you know,” her friend chimes in. “It was hot.” She smiles over at me. “Hi, I’m Kate.” She grins mischievously at her friend. “This is Parker.”

I wink at Kate. “See. We’re hot together.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but we’re done here.” She grabs her drink, slides some cash toward the bartender, and walks away.

I stand frozen for a second or two before jumping into action and grab Kate’s arm before she can get too far away. “Kate, is it?” I ask her.

“Yep.” She grins.

“What’s up with Parker? She got a man?”

“Nope.”

“Can you give me her number?” I ask

“Nope. If she wants you to have it, she’ll give it to you.”

“Here I thought you were on my team.”

She shakes her head, tsking. “You see, that’s where you’re wrong. I’m on her team, always. Just because I think she needs to let loose”—her eyes rake over my body“and that you would be the perfect candidate for that doesn’t mean I’ll be giving up her details.”

I run a frustrated hand through my hair. “At least tell me where I can find her.” I’m aware that I sound like a whiny bitch, and that’s not me. This isn’t who I am, but she walked away. That’s never happened to me before. I need the chance to redeem myself.

“We’re here a lot. Tonight we’re blowing off steam from midterms.”

“Is she eighteen?” I ask, feeling the blood rush from my face.

Kate throws her head back in laughter. “You’re safe, Casanova. She’s twenty-one.”

She looks twenty-one, and she was buying drinks, but you never know these days. Some good fake IDs are floating around out there, and I was a college student. I know how crafty some people can be when they want to be.

“That’s all you’re going to give me?” I ask as Parker and the rest of their group step up beside us.

“We’re heading out,” Parker announces. She doesn’t give me a single glance of recognition.

“How are you getting home?” I ask her. She ignores me. Reaching out, I gently place my hand on her arm. “Parker.” I wait until she turns her irritated gaze my way. “How are you getting home?” I don’t know why but I need to know she’s going to get home safe. All of them have been drinking.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but we took an Uber.” She turns back to Kate. “Ready?”

“See you around, Casanova.” Kate waves and follows her group of friends out the door.

I’m left standing there with my dick in my hands. Well, not really, but I might as well be. I don’t know what the fuck just happened, but Parker, whatever her last name is, just sealed her fate. Maybe I should have told her that I’m a playmaker.

CHAPTER 3

Parker

I march out of the club like my ass is on fire. And in a way, it is. I’m turned on, which pisses me off. I knew better than to dance with him. I know who he is and what he’s known for, but I did it anyway. His body felt too damn good pressed against mine. And the way he moved his body in time with mine… hot as hell. I’m so turned on right now I can’t see straight. If he were anyone else, I’d have given him my number. Hell, I might have dragged their sexy ass back to the dance floor, and who knows, maybe, just maybe, taken him home with me.

But this is Holden Bailey.

I know better.

Too bad my body didn’t get the memo.

“Slow down,” Kate calls after me.

I stop at the curb and take in a deep breath. My hands hang at my sides as I tilt my head back, closing my eyes, letting the fall air cool my heated skin.

“Parker, what the hell?” Autumn says, linking her arm through mine.

“Did he hurt you?” This comes from Troy. His words are a little slower, a sign of his alcohol consumption of the evening.

“No.” I lift my head and open my eyes. “He didn’t hurt me. I’m just not interested.”

Troy studies me. “That why you're squeezing your thighs together, and your nipples look like they could cut glass?” he asks. He suddenly doesn’t sound as inebriated as I first suspected. He folds his arms over his massive chest and stares down at me.

“He’s right,” Garrett chimes in.

“Hey!” Autumn and Bridgette smack them on the arms.

“Not helping,” Autumn huffs.

“What she said,” Bridgette agrees.

“It’s the cold air.” We all know I’m lying. “Can we go?” I ask.

“Uber is on its way,” Autumn tells me, holding up her phone to show me the app.